LAPORTE — As the number of intoxicated driving cases continue to rise in the county, the LaPorte County Sheriff's Office is adding another tool to its fight against the problem.
The department plans to begin publishing photos at the end of each month of those charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
The first group of photos was released Wednesday morning for the month of January.
The county experienced a 213% increase in alcohol-related crashes in 2020 as compared to the year prior, according to the department.
Last year's statistics are still being compiled, but the department reported 19 impaired driving arrests during the first month of 2022.
"Meanwhile, deputies will continue to diligently work to identify and remove impaired drivers from all roadways to improve traffic safety," the department said.
Motorists are encouraged by police to help by calling 911 and reporting any suspected intoxicated drivers.
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Gallery: Recent arrests booked into LaPorte County Jail
Kendra Smutek
Arrest Date:Â June 20, 2022
Arresting Agency:Â Michigan City Police Department
Offense Description:Â Theft
Class:Â Felony
Age:Â 32
Residence:Â Flint, MI
Gregory Spence
Arrest Date:Â June 20, 2022
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
Offense Description:Â OWI
Class:Â Misdemeanor
Age:Â 68
Residence:Â Walkerton, IN
Robert Jones Jr.
Arrest Date:Â June 20, 2022
Arresting Agency:Â Michigan City Police Department
Offense Description:Â OWI
Class:Â Misdemeanor
Age:Â 28
Residence:Â Michigan City, IN
Dylan Fredenburg
Arrest Date:Â June 19, 2022
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte Police Department
Offense Description:Â Criminal confinement; Domestic Battery
Class:Â Felony; Misdemeanor
Age:Â 27
Residence:Â LaPorte, IN
Hiawatha Wright
Arrest Date:Â June 19, 2022
Arresting Agency:Â Michigan City Police Department
Offense Description:Â Possession of Cocaine
Class:Â Felony
Age:Â 49
Residence:Â Michigan City, IN
Jeremy Simpson
Arrest Date:Â June 19, 2022
Arresting Agency:Â Michigan City Police Department
Offense Description:Â Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon
Class:Â Felony
Age:Â 36
Residence:Â Gary
Cody Peck
Arrest Date:Â June 17, 2022
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
Offense Description:Â Failure to Return to Lawful Detention
Class:Â Felony
Age:Â 29
Residence:Â Michigan City, IN
Dewhite Garland
Arrest Date:Â June 18, 2022
Arresting Agency:Â Michigan City Police Department
Offense Description:Â Criminal Trespass
Class:Â Felony
Age:Â 43
Residence:Â Michigan City, IN
Timothy Belue
Arrest Date:Â June 16, 2022
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
Offense Description:Â Possession of Methamphetamine
Class:Â Felony
Age:Â 51
Residence:Â LaPorte, IN
Dijon Mitchell
Arrest Date:Â June 17, 2022
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
Offense Description:Â Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon;Â Domestic Battery; Theft; Auto Theft
Class:Â Felonies
Age:Â 31
Residence:Â Michigan City, IN
Abygail Dubbs
Arrest Date:Â June 19, 2022
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
Offense Description:Â Unlawful Possession of Syringe; Possession of a Narcotic Drug
Class:Â Felonies
Age:Â 27
Residence:Â LaPorte, IN
Ryan Freeman
Arrest Date:Â June 16, 2022
Arresting Agency:Â Michigan City Police Department
Offense Description:Â Fraud; Theft
Class:Â Felonies
Age:Â 27
Residence:Â LaPorte, IN
Arieonna Copprue
Arrest Date:Â June 16, 2022
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte Police Department
Offense Description:Â Fraud On a Financial Institution
Class:Â Felony
Age:Â 22
Residence:Â Michigan City, IN
Franklin Schroeder
Arrest Date:Â June 16, 2022
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
Offense Description:Â Escape
Class:Â Felony
Age:Â 33
Residence:Â Michigan City, IN
Cristian Hernandez
Arrest Date:Â June 16, 2022
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte Police Department
Offense Description:Â Intimidation
Class:Â Felony
Age:Â 24
Residence:Â LaPorte, IN
Elizabeth Dusevicius
Arrest Date:Â June 16, 2022
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
Offense Description:Â Fraud On a Financial Institution; Identity deception; Fraud
Class:Â Felonies
Age:Â 32
Residence:Â Hickory Hills, IL
Blake Amor
Arrest Date:Â June 15, 2022
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
Offense Description:Â Burglary Resulting in Bodily Injury;Â Robbery Resulting in Bodily Injury; Intimidation
Class:Â Felonies
Age:Â 24
Residence:Â New Carlisle, IN
Dominique Tackitt
Arrest Date:Â June 1342022
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte Police Department
Offense Description:Â Unlawful Possession of SyringeÂ
Class:Â Felony
Age:Â 26
Residence:Â LaPorte, IN
Larry Phillips Jr.
Arrest Date:Â June 13, 2022
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte Police Department
Offense Description:Â Escape;Â Possession of Methamphetamine
Class:Â Felonies
Age:Â 50
Residence:Â LaPorte, IN
Jack McLean
Arrest Date:Â June 14, 2022
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
Offense Description:Â Failure to Appear
Class:Â Felony
Age:Â 56
Residence:Â South Bend, IN
David Serrano
Arrest Date:Â June 15, 2022
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
Offense Description:Â Failure to Return to Lawful Detention
Class:Â Felony
Age:Â 53
Residence:Â Gary, IN
Bob Kasarda
Porter/LaPorte County Courts and Social Justice Reporter
Bob is a 23-year veteran of The Times. He covers county government and courts in Porter County, federal courts, police news and regional issues. He also created the Vegan in the Region blog, is an Indiana University grad and lifelong region resident.
